Interesting that the Toyota is now the more expensive of the 2. That was a big reason that I bought a Scion instead of a Subaru - lower base price, and lower resale for the used buyer (me).
We've been writing about the Subaru BRZ a lot recently. Now it's time to take a look at the its Toyota counterpart: the 86.
My Toyota 86 review is going to more or less mirror what I said about the latest BRZ and the BRZ fitted with the Performance Package.
TL;DR: I really, really dig these cars. I don’t care if they only have 200 horsepower. Read the Subaru reviews above for my reasoning.
The 86 showed up the week after we had the BRZ, so we more or less got to drive them back-to-back. Both had manual transmissions.
So, the big question: Which car?
I’m going with the Subaru here, and that’s no dis at the Toyota. You’re still a favorite in my book.
Why the BRZ? For one, a prettier face. The 86 looks like it has a fat lip, like it got punched in the face or something. Going with a darker color minimizes things, but the BRZ looks great in any hue. With the original BRZ and FR-S, I thought that the looks were too similar to call a favorite. Now I’m calling the BRZ’s new nose edgier.
Then there’s the tail. I’m usually not a big wing guy, but I think this body benefits from a little something back there. Our 86’s wingless tail just looked a little unfinished. I know, not a huge deal, but we’re talking about two nearly identical cars.
The interiors are close. The 86 has the better gauges, but the Subaru’s controls—especially the radio—feel a touch more substantial. Which center stack do you prefer? I like Toyota’s minimalistic approach, but I think in the end I’d be happier with the Subaru. Again, it just felt a bit more upmarket.
Then there’s the price: The Subaru has a slightly lower starting MSRP, $25,495 vs. $26,255. Of course that could be a wash at the local level.
Final thoughts: Major, major kudos to Subaru and Toyota for bringing these cars to market, and even though it’s a niche vehicle, thanks for keeping it around. Neither one is a bad answer. They’re just so close, that I have to give Subaru the nod. Again, WR Blue for me, please.
Interesting that the Toyota is now the more expensive of the 2. That was a big reason that I bought a Scion instead of a Subaru - lower base price, and lower resale for the used buyer (me).
I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.
Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.
I'll complain that it still doesn't come with respectable tires....unless it does now. Toyota's site doesn't specify the tire brand, what does this car have on it?
Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.
News moar pwer.
irish44j wrote:Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.I'll complain that it still doesn't come with respectable tires....unless it does now. Toyota's site doesn't specify the tire brand, what does this car have on it?
Still buying into that "Its got Prius tires" nonsense?
Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.
It's already got almost twice the power of an AE86 
Knurled wrote:Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.It's already got almost twice the power of an AE86
And more than an MR2 Turbo, although a bit lacking in torque.
Do they have the same suspension tuning?
Appleseed wrote: I give this thread less than 10 posts before someone who's never driven an 86 complains about horsepower.
I've driven the BRZ a total of 3 times. It could use more power. Granted, I haven't driven the 2017+ model yet, so I can't say if the ~5hp and slightly shorter final drive would change my opinion much.
Disclaimer: I live in Denver, elevation= 5200+ft and my daily (VW Golf R) is turbocharged (boosted= less power lost at altitude), so my opinions might not align with others that live closer to sea level.
With that said, last year when I was shopping for a weekend playtoy car I shopped/drove the BRZ for the simplistic recipe they offer- lightweight, RWD, NA motor and a manual. I drove the BRZ back to back with a couple of other cars I was cross shopping (ND Miata and S2000) and it really felt like a dog in comparison.
People have complained about the BRZ's powerband and I understand why. The torque dip in the mid-range is certainly noticeable and it didn't do a whole lot up top. I pitched it around one of my favorite local canyon roads (Deer Creek Canyon Rd) and it seemed to be gasping for air on the slightest of inclines. For the record, I ended up buying an AP2 S2000.
For reference, the guys at TFL Car did a comparison of the FR-S vs ND Miata at our elevation (a mile high) and the acceleration results reflected what I found from my test drives:
FR-S 0-60mph at a mile high= 9.15
ND Miata 0-60mph at a mile high= 7.76
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHuxFFNv_DM&t=407s
^^^Maybe the Frisbee twins just don't adapt to elevation as well as the ND Miata or S2000. I have no idea. All I know is that after driving it multiple times and really wanting to like it, I just kept thinking "this car could really use an extra 30+hp".
YMMV.
9 posts. Prediction proven.
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